First woman tower guard was bullied

Updated on: 03 November,2009 07:43 AM IST |
Agencies |

Moira Cameron, the first Beefeater at Tower of London, faced resentful male colleagues, who have now been suspended

Moira Cameron, the first Beefeater at Tower of London, faced resentful male colleagues, who have now been suspended

If the new charges are true, it's time to add bullying to the litany of foul deeds committed at the notorious royal fortress, where many were tortured and three English queens were executed centuries ago.

At issue is the alleged bullying of a contemporary trailblazer: Moira Cameron (44), the first woman to serve as yeoman warder at the Tower, which dates back to the 11th century.

Hers was supposed to be a happy story about how one of the traditional bastions of male supremacy became a place where women too could serve queen and country.

Harassed: Moira Cameron, the first woman to serve as yeoman warder at the Tower, which dates back to the 11th century.

But it now appears Cameron was isolated and harassed by resentful male colleagues, despite her long experience in the military.

'Unacceptable'

Embarrassed Tower officials said yesterday that two male warders have been suspended and a third was under investigation for suspected harassment of Cameron.

A Tower of London statement said harassment among its staff was "totally unacceptable".

Beefeaters

The warders, who patrol the fortress on the banks of the River Thames, are popularly known as Beefeaters, because of the extra rations of meat they were given during medieval times.

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